Growing up most of us dream about the day we will start making our own money. We begin to dream more about this reality towards the end of our schooling days. For most of us, the dream is to start at a well-established organization where we will learn from others and maybe one day go into business. For those of us who are less observant, our dream is to climb the corporate ladder.
High-rise buildings, crisp suits, high black heels, and the office desk. We learn a lot while in school. We learn a lot about the profession we will be going into, the ABCs. What we do not learn about are the environment, the people, and the culture. On my very first day of work, I wore black pants, a blue top, a blue blazer, and black shoes. The night before I had prayed for a successful first day and I know my family prayed for the same. As I walked towards the entrance, the building seemed so large and high. The people walking through the doors looked confident and purpose driven. They looked like they knew what work they needed to focus on for the day. The two ladies standing at reception looked clean in their uniforms. The air smelt like profession, success, and money. All the newbies sat together, we were all excited and scared. We were optimistic.
Years later, the building looks different. The entrance door looks small. The air lacks something. It is almost as if I am not breathing in oxygen, crazy. The people look tired, their shoulders are hunched over. The smiles don’t feel genuine. We don’t all sit together.
The corporate world drains many individuals to the point of death. The long hours take from living life. The mean people kill your spirit. The low pay takes your confidence. The ladder does not exist for everyone. The favoured who play golf with the boss have stairs built for them. Well, enough said.
That being said, there are good things about working in a corporate. Check this post for some of those:
